Calence, Inc. and Avnet, Inc. Form Leading-Edge Network Solutions Provider Calence, LLC

PHOENIX, Nov. 29 /PRNewswire/ -- Calence, Inc., a leader in building, managing and optimizing customized, client-centric networks, with Avnet, Inc., , a leading global distributor of electronic components and computer products, today announced the formation of a new company, Calence, LLC. The new organization, headquartered in Arizona, combines the employees and resources of Calence, Inc. and Avnet Enterprise Solutions, a division of Avnet, Inc. that specializes in Network Lifecycle Management Solutions, and will be one of the largest solutions providers in the U.S. focused solely on networking solutions.

In addition, Avnet, Inc., a leading global distributor of electronic components and computer products, and Calence, LLC have entered into a five-year network business process outsource (BPO) agreement for Avnet's data and voice networks, and telecommunications expense management support. As part of the agreement, Avnet's Networking Services team will also become part of the new organization and support the new company's growth in network BPO.

"The combined experience and commitment to customer service excellence of Avnet and Calence, Inc. team members will create a new leader in the field of network consulting and management services," said Roy Vallee, chairman and CEO of Avnet, Inc. "This agreement allows Avnet's talented employees to work for a fast-growing, networking-focused solutions provider."

Calence, LLC will be led by Michael Fong, the current chairman and CEO of Calence, Inc. Jim Teter, president of Avnet Enterprise Solutions, will head business operations at Calence, LLC as its chief operating officer while Steve Varley, the current CFO of Calence, Inc. will become the CFO of the new organization. The new company will consist of approximately 400 networking professionals located across the U.S. in 20 offices, generating a combined annual revenue of approximately $300 million.

"Since its inception more than twelve years ago, Calence, Inc. has thrived on its ability to help clients discover new ways to reduce information technology costs, improve internal processes and increase operational efficiency," said Michael Fong, CEO of Calence. "With the expanded scale and scope of Calence, LLC, we will be the largest pure-play network solution provider in the U.S., with the potential for significant growth in new geographic and vertical markets. Our network business process outsource agreement with Avnet, Inc. illustrates our ability to provide for flexible, customer-centric networking services."

"Avnet has made a strategic decision to engage Calence, LLC for data and voice networking services," said Steve Phillips, chief information officer of Avnet. "Going forward, Calence, LLC will provide a critical layer of Avnet's information technology infrastructure. Their philosophy of viewing IT resources as a strategic business asset rather than a tactical necessity is in direct alignment with Avnet's IT principles, and is the foundation for our new outsourcing relationship."

Avnet Enterprise Solutions specializes in Network Lifecycle Management solutions for IP Communications, Security, Wireless and LAN/WAN. The team brings to Calence, LLC a core strength in the K-12 education market, plus a unique suite of technical, financial and professional services that help commercial mid-market customers financially justify IT solutions and optimize their network performance and security posture.

Calence, LLC's offerings will include strategic consulting services around Network Strategy, IP Communications, IT Security and Network Infrastructure; Product Provisioning, Operations Support and Management Services; and network BPO. The company will be a Cisco Gold Partner, with professional teams comprised of knowledgeable and certified individuals with more than 300 Cisco Certifications. The new company will hold Cisco specializations in IP Communications, Virtual Private Networks (VPNs), IT Security, Wireless LAN, and IP Contact Center, as well as Advanced Technology Partner certifications in Rich Media Communications and Optical-Metro.

"Channel partners are critical to Cisco's growth," said Chuck Robbins, vice president, U.S. Channels at Cisco Systems. "The formation of Calence, LLC brings together two of our leading U.S. channel partners. We look forward to continuing our strong relationship with the newly formed Calence, LLC to help accelerate the adoption of Cisco technology with our mutual customers."

About Avnet Enterprise Solutions

Avnet Enterprise Solutions specializes in Network Lifecycle Management solutions for IP Communications, Security, Wireless and LAN/WAN. The company leverages its unique suite of technical and financial professional services to optimize a company's network performance and security posture. Avnet Enterprise Solutions integrates hardware, software and services from industry leaders including Cisco, APC, TANDBERG, VBrick Systems and IPcelerate, utilizing its assess, design, implement and manage methodology for full lifecycle solutions. Headquartered in Tempe, Ariz., Avnet Enterprise Solutions (http://www.es.avnet.com/) is a division of Avnet, Inc. .

About Avnet, Inc.

Avnet enables success from the center of the technology industry, providing cost-effective services and solutions vital to a broad base of more than 100,000 customers and 300 suppliers. The company markets, distributes and adds value to a wide variety of electronic components, enterprise computer products and embedded subsystems. Through its premier market position, Avnet brings a breadth and depth of capabilities that help its trading partners accelerate growth and realize cost efficiencies. For fiscal year ended, July 2, 2005, Avnet and the recently acquired Memec (closed July 5, 2005) generated combined revenue in excess of $13 billion in the past year through sales in approximately 70 countries. Visit http://www.avnet.com/.

About Calence, Inc.

Calence, Inc. (http://www.calence.com/) plans, provisions, builds and manages customized network solutions and IT infrastructures designed to improve operational efficiency, increase productivity and boost customer satisfaction. Founded in 1993, Calence has helped Fortune 50 companies and some of the world's most prominent organizations leverage advanced network technologies to address specific business goals and priorities, improve internal processes and communications, and reduce IT costs. The company offers strategic services and expertise in a wide range of specialty areas, including wireless; information security assessment and incident response; voice, video and contact center solutions; and application performance. Calence is a Cisco Gold Partner and an AVVID Partner, as well as a Cisco Advanced Technology Partner for IP Contact Centers. Named one of the fastest growing privately held companies in the country by Inc magazine for four years in a row, Calence is headquartered in Tempe, Ariz.

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